HOTSEAT- Calm and cool: Sprouse 'stormin' in name only

Viewers may think he's pointing to a ridge of high pressure moving through the midwest, but the fact is that weatherman Norm– aka "Stormin' Norman"– Sprouse is really pointing at nothing. In the NBC29 studios, where Sprouse has been the weather guru since 1990, the wall behind him is blank, and instead of cameras, he's scanning three TV screens.

'"They're on either side of me, with one in front," he explains. "So I see myself, and what's going on here and across the country– but not what viewers see."

Sprouse has no degree in meteorology, and that's actually the norm for more TV weathermen than just Norm. And while he's content with the title of "weather guy," he hadn't always wanted to be a precipitation soothsayer.

"I was a disc jockey for 20 years, including eight years at WCHV here in town," says the 57-year-old Fluvanna County resident. "I played all kinds of music, from classical to jazz, but I did other stuff as well, weather being one of them."

Economics figured into his switch from radio to TV.

"There's not much money in radio," he says. "While I was working for a station in Harrisonburg, I heard about a job opening up at Channel 29 doing weather exclusively, so I took it."

He didn't reckon on the hours. In order to get to station in time for the early show, the Richmond native says he goes to bed between 7 and 9pm.

While his routine doesn't lend itself to nights out on the town, his job lends itself to going out into the wind, rain, and snow. Why do that when anyone can see what's falling by looking out the window?

"We need to be outside because that makes for good TV," Sprouse says with his trademark wry grin. "You know the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words? It's just part of the job; people expect it."

Sprouse notes that bad weather is great for the station's ratings: "We get a big boost in, say, February."

As for the chit-chat between him and the others at the anchor desk, Sprouse says none is rehearsed. "I'm lucky because I've always liked the people I exchange small talk with. And even if I didn't," he notes, "I would be able to cope for the short period of time we're on."

Sprouse believes that the informationhe provides is important, not just for kids and their parents who need to know whether schools will be open, but, he says, for "construction workers, farmers, those who want to know what to wear. Weather is important to the daily lives of people everywhere."

He admits he likes being called "Stormin' Norman"– a nickname that began when he was a teenager, long before he came into broadcasting. Does he ever dream of a different career?

"Ask me that in 20 years," he says. "Right now, I'm content."

Age: 57

Why here? Job and family

What's worst about living here? Traffic and high cost of living

Favorite hangout? Coastal North Carolina

Most overrated virtue? None. They're all good.

People would be surprised to know: I chose the first song 3WV ever played: Moody Blues, "Question"

What would you change about yourself? I'd be less shy.

Proudest accomplishment? I've managed to stay in broadcasting for over 35 years.

4 comments

jim stein January 5th, 2007 | 9:14am

having knowm norm for a lot of years through his family he left out his devotion to his immediate family and in particular his nephew chet. have been to several band gigs for chet, who plays a mean guitar, and norm has been in attendence to support him in this endevor even though the music played is more for the hard core rockers ie: black sabbath fans etc than jazz. so know that he is also appriciated not only for his on air personna but for being a great family man who is also appriciated by his family

Jen O January 16th, 2007 | 9:09am

Had a crush on the very handsome Norm Sprouse since I had the pleasure of running into him last month. Great story - fab picture

Eddie Mikell October 25th, 2007 | 3:33pm

Norn is a great guy. He is the same whether you meet him in the studio or out in the street. Drop dead funny. Don't even challenge him on music lyrics. I am glad that I got to work with him, even for a short time!

gus October 3rd, 2010 | 8:13am

Thanks for the great story about Norman,I been wachting him and the nbc staff news in the mornings for more the 10 yrs,since I in USA, so like him so much when he is in the weather channel,he is funny,smart,inteligent,great humor,etc, I like to find the way he can contact me if possible,I fan of NBC,I been in NY and see the today show alive,I latino guy from Uruguay,living here 10 yrs,I like to wacht tv,more your programs,help me with my knowledge of english,my e-mail is guslab2009@hotmail.com thanks again Gus.